7 Top Australia Travel Tips

We’ve found that Aussies are characteristically pretty laid back and friendly.  They live in a wonderful country but its worth knowing how to prepare to travel Down Under and to know in advance some of the things they ‘do’ differently.  These Australia travel tips will help as you plan and enjoy your vacation there.

Passport and Visa.You will need a passport, valid for the extent of your vacation and a tourist visa for either 3 months or 6 months.  Apply for your visa at the Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.

Language.  This is one of the more unexpected Australia travel tips.  Aussies do speak English (of a kind) but they abbreviate their language wherever they can.  G’day for Good Day/Hi/Hello, barbie for barbeque, veggie for vegetable, uni for university.  Expect these expressions in their everyday language and always ask if you don’t understand.  They are good humored and will happily explain.

Tipping. Aussies who work in the tourism, transport and hospitality here are paid a minimum salary.  As a result these workers do not rely on tipping to make their income reach a minimum salary as in the US.  They will not expect to be tipped. Tipping is generally not part of the Australian culture.

Telephones. Phone cards are an easy way for travellers to use public phones in Australia. These cards are available from newsagents. Assistance is available by ringing 013. Emergency assistance is on 000. Your own cell phone will function here as long as it includes an International Roaming functionality. A cheaper cell phone deal is to buy a pre-paid one here and 'top it up' if you need to.

Electrical goods in Australia run off the 220-240 volts electricity supply. Consider buying an adaptor from a store before you leave home or look for one from an electrical store when you arrive.

Medical care.  Make sure you take out Australian travel insurance as the benefits of the national health scheme here are not available for visitors. For the best travel insurance costs, deal directly with insurers rather than through a travel agent. Vaccinations are only necessary if you have traveled through a country infected with yellow fever. Medical facilities including hospitals, doctor’s clinics and chemists (stores dispensing pharmaceutical medicines) are found in every town.

Churches in Australia reflect the wide range of faiths practised here. Most towns will have a Roman Catholic and Church of England (Anglican/Episcopal) church. Other religions represented in most towns include Presbyterian, Baptist and Uniting Church.  Those of Jewish, Moslem and Buddhist faiths and other religious denominations are generally only represented in cities or large towns.

For other important Australia travel tips worth knowing while you plan your vacation there, read my blog at www.blog.mightydigitaldownloads.com

Leave a comment | View Comments

Australia Travel Videos

Australia Travel Headlines

Paul Hogan departs Australia

Paul Hogan has left Australia after a travel ban by the Australian Tax Office was lifted.

Read more...

---

Paul Hogan free to leave Australia after reaching tax deal with gov't

Paul Hogan is free to leave Australia after reaching a deal with tax officials who grounded him over a tax dispute, the "Crocodile Dundee" star's attorney says.

Read more...

---

Air travel: Are "adults-only" sections next?

Air travel: Are adults-only sections coming next? If so, prepare to pay yet another fee.

Read more...

---

Best travel images revealed in new worldwide Lonely Planet competition

A dramatic picture featuring several glamorous girls posing at the world's largest camel fair in India was voted the best travel photograph of the year by an influential magazine.

Read more...

---

Ferntree Gully student on pilgrimage

A KNOX teenager will travel to Rome to celebrate the canonisation of Australia's first saint.

Read more...

---

News, pictures of devastated city's ordeal travel around world

The seismic shift in the South Island made headline news around the world.In Australia, Sky News provided full bulletin coverage as the enormity of the damage became obvious. Sydney Morning Herald headlines included "Picking...

Read more...

---

Travel Picks: 10 top romantic hotels

LONDON—In need of a romantic break, but don’t know where to go? Boutique hotel connoisseurs Mr & Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com) play Cupid with a hand-picked selection of 10 of the most seductive stays worldwide.

Read more...

---

Travel briefs: New taxes? More baggage fees? Kid-free fly zones?

Anyone who has recently traveled to a major U.S. city knows the shock of finding a hotel, car rental or restaurant bill laden with extra charges. It's a growing trend among cities to add bed taxes, airport concession taxes and other charges to visitors' bills in order to fund tourism marketing campaigns, airport improvements and other projects.

Read more...

---

Flight Centre defies failure prediction

TRAVEL firm defies the odds to beat stiff competition from heavy discounting and the internet to make a $139.9m profit.

Read more...

---

'Crocodile Dundee' free to leave Australia

SYDNEY, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan is free to leave Australia after reaching a deal with tax officials who grounded him over a tax dispute, his attorney says. Australia - Crocodile Dundee - United States - Tax - Law

Read more...

---